Bell coach seeks return to playoffs, 800th win

Nearly four decades, ago a young coach full of dreams took the job of leading the L.D. Bell volleyball program.

Now, 39 years later, Lady Raiders coach Vickie Griffin is about to begin another season, one she hopes will include a milestone and a return to the playoffs, and not necessarily in that order.

Griffin has compiled a career record of 789-534, all at L.D. Bell.

“I have lived my dream,” she said. “I can’t really point to any one team that is the ultimate highlight.

“If I had to choose something that is special to me, it is my alumni group. I get to meet every year with my former players and see who they have become and share their life with them. It is the ultimate family.”

Among those memories are lots of playoff appearances. Last season was one of the few in which they stayed home after the regular season, and Griffin would like for this team to add to the playoff memories – along with getting her to that magical 800th victory on the way.

“I feel very confident this team can help me reach a milestone in my career,” Griffin said.

Returning to the postseason certainly seems within the Lady Raiders’ reach, although they do share a district with some of the most formidable programs around. Bell is only one year removed from having made four consecutive playoff appearances, with the 2011 squad reaching the area round for the first time in nearly a decade.

The Lady Raiders (16-21, 3-9 in District 7-6A last season) return five varsity starters. Each was a 2014 all-district selection, with senior middle blocker Sidra Triplett and sophomore setter Sophie Rodgers garnering second-team honors, along with sophomore outside hitter Allison Barton, senior defensive specialist Maegan Madden and junior outside hitter/setter Shawna Glick as honorable mentions.

“We have a good nucleus coming back this year,” Griffin said. “We are going to try and run a 5-1 with Sophie this year. She is short but I think she will be one of the top setters in the area.”

Griffin also said the versatility of Glick, a left-handed hitter who is also strong on defense, could be key.

“Shawna is a very versatile player which make her very special,” Griffin said.

Griffin said incoming sophomore Sydney Williams should also make an immediate impact.

Getting to the playoffs out of District 7-6A sets any team up for postseason success. The district features Southlake Carroll, rated the No. 9 team in the nation by Maxpreps (43-4 last season, regional finals).

However, the Lady Dragons are not the defending district champions. That is Colleyville Heritage, which ran through the league a perfect 12-0, defeated Carroll twice, and advanced three rounds into the postseason.

Coppell finished third and reached the second round, and Euless Trinity was the fourth playoff seed, falling in bi-district.

Griffin said to prepare for such a tough district slate, she has scheduled some challenging pre-district contests.

“I have scheduled teams that are playoff teams so that we will see good competition,” she said.

“We will be young this year, but I think we will compete. I think our chances are good for making a run for the playoffs.”

This story was originally published August 12, 2015 at 3:16 PM with the headline "Bell coach seeks return to playoffs, 800th win."